Lindenwood to Dedicate Newman Center-Catholic Student Center Nov. 18

October 31, 2011

Lindewnood University will host a dedication ceremony for its Newman Center-Catholic Student Center at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18. St. Louis Archdiocesan Auxiliary Bishop Edward Rice will preside over the event, which is scheduled to take place on the feast day of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne.

Named in honor of Cardinal John Henry Newman, Newman centers are Catholic ministry centers located at secular universities throughout the world. Lindenwood’s center is sponsored by the school’s Catholic Student Union (CSU). Currently, 45 percent of the student body at Lindenwood identify themselves as Catholic.

“The CSU on Lindenwood’s campus has been experiencing strong growth for the past several years, and we hoped to become a Newman Center as soon as possible,” said Carol Wilmes, campus minister at the university. “All the pieces have come together in a beautiful way to make it a reality.”

The center will serve as a quiet study space for all students, regardless of faith and will also include a Catholic library and video collection. Priests from local parishes will deliver the Sacrament of Reconciliation and offer Eucharistic Adoration monthly, while Bible study and catechism classes will also take place in the space.

“We’ll be able to do much more for the students spiritually but also in terms of planning service projects and community outreach, because we will have a consistent place to host meetings and hold counsel,” Wilmes said. “It will be a place where students can express their thoughts and explore them in-depth without any other distractions.”

The Lindenwood Newman Center-Catholic Student Center is located at 1923 First Capitol Drive, suite F, on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles. Hours of operation will be from 2-10 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Registration is not required to attend the dedication, but RSVPs are requested. To reserve a seat, e-mail NewmanCenter@lindenwood.edu by Tuesday, Nov. 15.